Michael Wolff claims Epstein saw fame, not politics, as Trump’s motive
Author Michael Wolff says Jeffrey Epstein believed Donald Trump ran for president mainly to preserve his own celebrity, not to govern.
Michael Wolff, writing on his Substack Howl, relayed a discussion with the late Jeffrey Epstein in which the financier argued that Donald Trump’s 2015 presidential bid was driven by a need for fresh fame after his reality-show star waned. According to Wolff, Epstein said Trump cared chiefly about money, sex and fame, and that this explained Trump’s fascination with Bill Clinton and John F. Kennedy. Wolff also claimed Epstein told him Trump had tipped off Palm Beach police, resulting in Epstein’s 2008 plea arrangement that avoided federal charges.
The column cites Epstein’s view that Trump’s ambition was a vehicle for personal notoriety rather than genuine political interest. A White House spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment. Wolff’s narrative blends personal recollection with speculation about Trump’s motives.
Why it matters
The story links a notorious criminal’s view to the former president’s 2015 campaign, shaping public perception of Trump’s motives.
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